The Thought Bubble

The Countdown Continues

neskensm — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:00:56 +0000

In the CBR greatest story arcs countdown both the Y: The Last Man Unmanned and Astonshing X-Men Gifted Story arcs made the list (at 76 and 45 respectively). I have no idea whether these two story arcs are in the “right” spots but, they are two of the better ones that I have read and it really must be an honor just to make the list. (No really it is.)

Writing this Blog

neskensm — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:15:13 +0000

When I first began to write this blog, I was a bit reticent at the idea. I knew almost immediately that I wanted to write about comics, but I didn’t want it to be a crusading, proselytizing endeavor on behalf of comics. As much as I would like to see comics get the respect I believe they deserve, I don’t think I need to try and force it down anyone’s throat. When I actually started writing, though, I enjoyed it more than I had expected to. I especially liked coming up with topics for the blog. I will probably continue to blog (in a more limited capacity) because there are a quite a few topics that I did not address that I would like to.

My blog has been very text heavy so far, which I don’t think helped very much. Comics are very much a graphically driven medium, (despite my natural inclination to identify with the writing) so my blog did not do enough to capture the spirit of comics (something I will try to improve going forward).

I have never really sought to be an opinion journalist. I still don’t. (I don’t think this blog was necessarily journalism, but that is not a condemnation in any way.) I loved writing this blog because this was me speaking with anyone who wanted to read about something I have a passion for. Journalists are often far too disinterested in the topics they cover and end up talking at their audience, rather than to them. Blogs fill a void that “journalism” has left.

What’s your Zodiac Sign

neskensm — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:58:26 +0000

I recently finished reading Marvel’s Dark Reign: Zodiac miniseries. (It was only three issues long.) When I saw the book on the shelf I felt compelled to ask who this Zodiac guy was and why did he deserved his own series. The clerk told that Zodiac was supposed to be “a villain’s villain.” After reading the series, I am unimpressed. Zodiac is for sure a bad guy, but he isn’t really a person. He is a plot device only used to push forward an impressive story. I’ve stated repeatedly in writing this blog, how important I think character is. This limited series can get away with one-dimensional characters only because it is brief. These character, however could not sustain an extended series.

An Evening Well Spent

neskensm — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:45:52 +0000

Kevin Smith was at my school this evening as a part of his “An Evening with Kevin Smith” series of public speaking engagements. (There have been three DVD’s released of some of his shows.) Smith is most known as a film writer and director with Clerks being his most well-known work. He is also a sometimes comic book writer, with his most recent project being the currently ongoing mini-series, Batman: The Widening Gyre (that is an absolutely fantastic title). I happen to really enjoy this book. Smith in his usual crude and hilarious manner, described his experience with the series.

The Spider and the Mouse

neskensm — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:47:37 +0000

IGN is reporting that Marvel has scheduled a stakeholder meeting for December 31, 2009 regarding the merger of Marvel and Disney. (A link to the story with Marvel’s full press release can be found here.) Earlier in the year Disney announced its intent to buy Marvel as a subsidiary of Disney for $4 billion. We have yet to see how this merger will effect Marvel and Disney (I doubt we’ll see Goofy make an appearance in any issues of the Hulk, but it could happen). The biggest effect may be on the future of Marvel’s film adaptations. After current contracts with other studios run out, Disney will likely be the sole distributor of Marvel films. This is significant because of the potential for character crossover in the films. (e.g. The Hulk can’t appear in the Iron-Man movie because the film rights to the character are held by a different studio.)

You got some wrestling in my comics

neskensm — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:43:44 +0000

According to an IGN article, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is making its way to comic book retailers in the form of a new monthly series entitled WWE Heroes. (Below is an image from IGN Comics of the cover of the first issue.)

I am not apprehensive about this title because of the blatant commercialism, although the the potential for some horrible comics is abundant. Professional wrestling storylines are not why people watch. They watch for big men picking up and slamming other big men, or small men flying through the air and landing on top big men. This comic can work if it comes with the funny over the top cheese that used to be professional wrestling, not the serious, brooding wrestling that no one cares about. Wrestling requires a visual medium that relies on motion, which printed comics most certainly do not express. Each comic book conveys a single moment within the universe of the comic that is specific and purposeful. If the creators of WWE Heroes can make a comic book that can convey the energy of televised wrestling, I will most certainly be impressed.

Say What?

neskensm — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:43:05 +0000

My sister once asked me why there was a parental advisory warning on the cover of one of my comics. I told her that it was primarily because of swearing. What kind of swears, she asked. Any swears you can think of, and some that you can’t was my response. She still didn’t believe me so I had to find a page containing a certain one of George Carlin’s seven words (lucky for me there were plenty of examples to choose from).

I’m not one who subscribes to the idea of “bad words,” context being more important than just words. Swearing in comics adds a level of authenticity to the dialogue, but writing without swearing sometimes brings out the most creative efforts from the writers. (Not so much from me, though. It is pretty difficult to write about swearing without swearing.)

To the small screen

neskensm — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:20:25 +0000

In view of the new Powers television series I have decided to compile a list of comics, chracters, or properties that would make good TV series (live-action, not cartoons).

Deadpool-Deadpool is hilarious, easily one of the funniest characters in comics, but the Merc with a mouth is also very dark. A Deadpool show would do well to strike a balance between Deadpool’s zany antics and the more serious subject matter that comes from being a mecernary. (Scrubs is a good example of a show that balances humor with seriousness). This show would probably be on a premium cable channel like HBO or Showtime.

The Punisher-I am not a fan of the Punisher, but the quality of Dexter on Showtime has shown how good a television show about a sociopathic murderer can be. This would definitely be a Showtime or HBO show.

Luke Cage-I am a fan of Luke Cage. He remains underutilized by Marvel, except as a gimmicky race superhero. But his presence as a hero living in Harlem and as a father and husband would make for compelling drama. This could be on broadcast TV, but it would be better on cable.

The Hood-The Hood follows petty criminal Parker Robbins as he makes the transition from small-time crook to big-time gangster after certain powerful items fall into his hands. The brilliance of The Hood comes from the humanity he was given by creator Brian K. Vaughan. Despite his profession we root for The Hood to succeed, not with his criminal endeavors, but as a new father who is doing his best to provide for his family.

Sweet Tooth-This is the most recent comic on this list, only three issues into its life. It has the potential to be a good show with a main character that audiences will undoubtedly feel sympathy feel for and a barren (but beautiful) post-apocalyptic landscape that becomes a character itself.

Powers is Back

neskensm — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:23:10 +0000

Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming’s Powers series is back for a third “season” (in comics these are called volumes) and the first issue picks up some time after the events of the second season, which saw the departure of one the series’ major characters. The first issue of the third volume is more of what you expect from Powers. Great art with intriguing stylization, good characterization and great writing. The issue features a good amount of exposition (it is very subtle and not at all intrusive) because this issue serves as a jumping off point for new readers (this is always a tricky proposition with ongoing comics). If you have never read Powers and don’t want to buy the trades (But, why wouldn’t you?) now is a good time to start.

P.S. Powers is being made into a TV series that will appear on FX. There is no premiere date yet, but Brian Michael Bendis is writing the pilot and said that he is really excited about who is working on it. And if Bendis is excited, then I’m excited.

Cover Up

neskensm — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:23:01 +0000

Comics are dominated the Y chromosome. Males make up an overwhelming majority of comic book creators and comic book fans. Female characters in comics have suffered because of this. Female characters are (for the most part) written as inferior to their male counterparts, and are drawn with ridiculous proportions wearing skin-tight and very revealing clothing. Several weeks ago an issue of the DC comic Power Girl, written by female writer Jan Van Meter, addressed this issue in the pages of the book with Power Girl describing the reason her costumed is designed the way that it is. (It is similar to a gymnast’s leotard with long sleeves and is all white. The major difference is a rather large oval shaped hole which exposes a substantial amount of cleavage.) Jezebel.com has a roundup of different opinions of the controversy as well as pictures. (Click here for the link). Much like the Sarah Palin Newsweek cover, women in comics are drawn and characterized in ways that no man would.

No doubt that women in comics are drawn in a manner that appeals to the largely male audience, but speaking as a male, I would much more fully developed female characters that are more representative of the real world. Who knows maybe more women will read comics as a result.